Teen charged with pot possession at Fitchburg High

FITCHBURG -- A 17-year-old Fitchburg High School student from Leominster was arrested at school after he pushed an administrator and police found him carrying nine bags of marijuana Tuesday.

Luis E. Orellana, 114 Eighth St., Unit 114, Leominster, allegedly used a door to push Assistant Principal Sheila Thomas out of the way as he tried to leave school, according to Fitchburg District Court records..

Hall monitors noticed Orellana smelled like marijuana and reported him to administrators.

When administrators asked him if he had marijuana, Orellana surrendered two bags of the drug, court documents said.

He "later used an office door to push the vice principal Mrs. Sheila Thomas out of the way while he attempted to leave school grounds," a court document said.

Orellana was charged with criminal possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and committing a drug violation in a school zone.

He was released on $250 bail with the condition he take random drug tests, live with his parents and stay at home from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The thefts were reported Monday. Tires were stolen off a 2005 Chevrolet van at Dufour Motors, 356 River St. The van was left propped on rocks that were apparently carried to the dealership, Fossa said.

Thieves stole the tires off a 1997 Mercedes E420 at Murphy Motors at 556 River St. The car was left sitting on a log and cobblestones. "Tires gone and stole a hood ornament," Fossa said.

The tires were punctured on about four vehicles at Orlando's Auto Sales at 96 River St., Fossa said.

Fitchburg man says she was gun target

FITCHBURG -- A 42-year-old Myrtle Street resident reported to police he was shot by a pellet gun near the Tedeschi's convenience store on Main Street about 7:40 a.m. Monday.

"Said he was simply waiting for a ride when one of the suspects through a rock at him," said police Sgt. Glenn Fossa.

During the confrontation a second man sitting in a car allegedly fired three shots at the victim with one shot striking the man.

The victim did not report the incident until 2:42 p.m.

Police probe graffiti at Fitchburg businesses

FITCHBURG -- Police are investigating reports of graffiti splashed across the front of Ispahan Rug's building at 85 Lunenburg St. and Shepard & Parker Inc. at 18 Lincoln St. overnight Tuesday.

LEOMINSTER -- Two Boston men are being held in lieu of bail after being arraigned on charges of larceny over $250, forgery of checks, uttering a false check, and attempting to commit a crime after trying to cash multiple checks at various Rollstone Bank branches.

Officer Louis F. Viola responded to Rollstone Bank for a report of larceny by check. He spoke with the branch manager, who said that two men came in with stolen checks and cashed them. She said she called the branch at The Mall at Whitney Field and spoke with employees there, who said the two men were attempting to do the same thing there.

The branch manager said she had pictures of the two men, as well as information from their licenses written on the back of the two checks.

The two men, identified as Michael Rubenstein of 26 Thanes St., Boston, and Joseph L. Vann of 17 Court Street, Roxbury, were able to cash checks for $1,858.56 and $1,995.46, which appeared to be drawn from Versatile Communications.

Viola called the communications company, and an employee said those checks were never written, and in fact, she still had those check numbers in the company checkbook.

Vann, 53, was held in lieu of $2,500 cash bail and is due back in court later this month.

Rubenstein, 28, who also had an outstanding warrant, was held on $1,000 cash bail and is due back in court later this month.

Fitchburg man arrested in drug raid

FITCHBURG -- A Milk Street resident was arrested after a drug raid on his home at about 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, according to Fitchburg District Court documents.

Marc A. Merchant, 48, of 86 Milk St., second floor, was home alone when the Police Department's Drug Suppression Unit, State Police Gang Unit and North Worcester County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant.

Merchant was carrying $2,020 when police found him and a drawer of drugs nearby.

"Five baggies of marijuana packaged in a manner consistent with street level drug sales was located inside a drawer in the kitchen within feet of where Mr. Merchant was located upon entry," a court document said.

A bag of marijuana weighing about one pound was in one of the bedrooms belonging to two other people, the court document said.

The occupants' names were not in the court document but charges are expected to be filed.

Bail was set at $1,000 cash or $10,000 surety.

Westminster woman charged in drug sting

TEWKSBURY -- A Westminster woman was arrested Monday on charges she sold cocaine in the Home Depot parking lot on Main Street.

Detectives conducting surveillance saw two people in a vehicle conduct what appeared to be a drug deal about 6:40 p.m., according to Police Chief Timothy Sheehan.

Police stopped that vehicle, and discovered Peter Surette, 27, of 19 Hancock Circle, Methuen, and Jennifer LaFreniere, 23, of 183 State West Road, Westminster, had sold cocaine.

Police also found heroin and cocaine on Surette after he was placed under arrest. Surette was charged with distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. LaFreniere was charged with distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

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